BLAINE, MN – Whitecaps FC 2 dropped a 2-0 result against Western Conference side Minnesota United FC 2 at the National Sports Center Stadium in Blaine, Minnesota on Saturday evening.
The first half began with Minnesota United FC 2 receiving a free kick opportunity outside the box in the 3rd minute, but ‘Caps first team goalkeeper Thomas Hasal made a strong save off of MNUFC2 forward Thomas Williamson's curled shot.
After a quick counterattack in the 6th minute, Emiliano Brienza found his chipped chance cleared off the goal line with WFC2 looking to push in the half.
As the home side continued to press through the midfield, a short pass from attacking midfielder Aziel Jackson found winger Emmanuel Iwe inside the box, who opened the scoring with his left footed strike in the 23rd minute of the match.
Minnesota were awarded a penalty kick in the 42nd minute, but Jackson’s strike was strongly parried away by Hasal as the ‘Caps goalkeeper came up with a big response right before the end of the half.
The second half would begin with an opportunity from MNUFC2, as Jackson’s strike was saved by Hasal inside the 50th minute.
As the match progressed, Minnesota would double their lead following a rebound tucked away from close range by Jackson in the 75th minute of the match.
Iwe looked to add to MNUFC2's lead in the 80th minute as he was facing a one on one situation with Hasal, but the Blue & White goalkeeper stretched his arms out for a strong save in the 80th minute.
Next up, WFC2 continue their road trip with a Western Conference matchup against Timbers2 on Saturday, July 16 at Hillsboro Stadium in Hillsboro, Oregon. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. PT. You can catch all the action live on mlsnextpro.com
MATCH DETAILS
Referee: Chris Ruska
Scoring Summary
23’ – MIN – Emmanuel Iwe (Aziel Jackson)
75’ – MIN – Aziel Jackson
Statistics
Possession: MIN 54.5% – VAN 45.5%
Shots: MIN 22 – VAN 4
Shots on Goal: MIN 12 – VAN 1
Saves: MIN 0 – VAN 10
Fouls: MIN 10 – VAN 13
Offsides: MIN 2 – VAN 0
Corners: MIN 6 – VAN 3
Cautions
44’ – MIN – Jason Ramos
65’ – VAN – Jay Herdman
84’– MIN – Carlos Leatherman
MNUFC2
35.Alec Smir; 54.Carlos Leatherman, 98.Jason Ramos, 4.Callum Montgomery © (53.Andrew Brown 69’), 22.Devin Padelford; 55.Ignacio Gutiérrez, 71.Nick Mendonca; 70.Diogo Pacheco, 25.Aziel Jackson (80.Veljko Petkovic 82’), 42.Emmanuel Iwe; 40.Tommy Williamson
Substitutes not used
56.Grayson Frum, 51.David Garcia, 63.Perry Blay, 51.David Garcia
Whitecaps FC 2
1.Thomas Hasal ©️; 53.Simone Masi (61.Matteo Campagna HT), 64.Cristian Campagna, 83.Finn Linder; 57.Elage Bah (58.Eric White HT), 92.Jay Herdman, 52.Vasco Fry, 66.Giovanni Aguilar (76.Joe Hanson 60’ (68.Owen Antoniuk 70’)) , 44.Chris Lee; 49.Emiliano Brienza (48.Théo Collomb 60’), 29.Simon Becher
Substitutes not used
50.Max Anchor, 95.Joshué Ndakala
